Alan Fritz says he'll miss the students most when he leaves his post as principal of Ambridge Area High School. Fritz tendered his resignation on Jan. 23 after spending nearly 15 years in the district. The school board voted Wednesday night to accept the resignation effective March 7. Fritz has accepted a position as chief academic officer at the Midland-based Pennsylvania Cyber Charter School.

He said the position, similar to an assistant superintendent role, is a “good opportunity,” but also bittersweet.

“Its kind of been weird,” he said. “This has been my home for a long time. My older son is graduating this year from Ambridge. It’s a lot of emotions that go with that.”

Fritz said he has known the students since they were young children, particularly the seniors, who were 5 when his son started kindergarten at Highland Elementary.

Students got a chance to say farewell to Fritz on Wednesday during a good-bye assembly in his honor. Sophomore Kayleigh Gisborne, 16, said emotions were running high.

“I think a lot of kids were crying. My two friends beside me were crying,” she said.

Kayleigh said Fritz had an open door policy for students, and let them vent, no matter what the problems were.

"He would be there for you, even if you got in trouble every day of the week, he was there no matter what. Your home life, anything, he would listen to you," she said.

Fritz began working in the district in August 1999 serving as assistant high school principal for a year. He was the junior high principal from June 2000 to November 2001, before moving on to high school principal, where he has been since.

Throughout his tenure, the district underwent many changes, including the construction of a new high school.

“The building project was obviously the largest of those changes," Fritz said. "From the time I've started until now, the facilities alone have increased the possibilities for our kids.”

One of his accomplishments this year was starting an iPad-based Keystone Exam remedial course. He said the program gives teachers an opportunity to create their own content to help pre-test struggling students. Keystone tests assess proficiency in various subjects at the high school level. Passing the exams is a requirement for graduation.

Fritz is currently working to finish up his doctorate in the meta-analysis of online and blended learning models. His dissertation is the final step.

“I’m gaining a great opportunity,” he said, “but at the same time I have to say goodbye to people who have been a part of my life for a long time.”